Comic-Con: Batman: Year OneReview

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One of the best DC original animated movies yet.

By Cindy White

You can always count on DC Universe titles to be entertaining, especially for fans of the original comics and characters. Though they've already done several Batman stories, they've never done one quite like this before. Fans of the original comic by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli should be pleased with this adaptation, which stays true to the source material and maintains its gritty, realistic tone.

As everyone who's read the comic knows, Batman: Year One is as much a story about Lt. Jim Gordon (the always terrific Bryan Cranston) as it is about Bruce Wayne (Southland's Ben McKenzie). The action unfolds over the course of a year, beginning as Jim and Bruce both arrive in Gotham at the same time. While Jim is looking to start a new life, Bruce tries to fit back into his old one. Their stories parallel each other as they each try to clean up the city in their own way. They're two different instruments of justice, and neither of them has much of an idea what they're doing most of the time.

Bruce returns to Wayne Manor from his long absence knowing that something must be done about the disintegrating quality of life in Gotham City. He just doesn't know what. He trains and builds up his strength with no clear direction until he asks for a sign, and gets one in the form of a bat perched on a bust of his father. It's an iconic moment, handled with the appropriate reverence.

Meanwhile, as the only honest cop in a department full of corruption, Jim faces conflict on both sides of the law. With a baby on the way, his priority is keeping his family safe, but between his crooked colleagues, organized crime bosses and a new vigilante going around at night dressed up as a bat, it's no small task. Fortunately, it turns out that Jim Gordon is kind of a badass. You can't help but root for him, even when he steps out of line. He's not perfect, but then no one in this story is. The characters in Batman: Year One are all deeply flawed, which makes them all the more human.

The third origin story we get in Year One is Catwoman's, voiced by Eliza Dushku. Because of the strong focus on the twin paths of Lt. Gordon and Bruce Wayne, her story is condensed to a few limited but effective scenes. It's little more than a setup for the DC Showcase short centered on her that will be included on the DVD, although she does provide some of the humor in the movie.

Of which there is plenty, by the way; it's not all just darkness and despair. There's one particular moment with Bruce in a bathrobe reminiscent of Basic Instinct that had the crowd roaring in the screening. This version of Jim Gordon also has a dry wit that makes for some amusing moments as well. Those lighthearted beats help make for a totally engaging, well-rounded viewing experience.

It helps that the voices are so well cast. Cranston brings all the sides of Gordon to life, his frustration, anguish, integrity and humanity. McKenzie gives us a different, less mature side of Bruce Wayne, as he struggles to find his confidence and figure out who this Batman character is. In another bit of brilliant casting, Katee Sackhoff plays Det. Sarah Essen, whose relationship with Lt. Gordon turns into something neither of them intends. Dushku doesn't get much of a chance to shine as Selena Kyle, though. We'll have to wait for the short to fully appreciate her take on the character.

Wisely, the directors stick closely to Miller's original ideas, pulling panels and even direct lines from the pages of the comic. The art is bold, yet effectively stark at times (there's even a scene inspired by Edward Hopper's famous Nighthawks painting). The tone is much darker than the previous animated films, with mature themes and even one, very apt, F-bomb. Like the comic did before it, this film helps to push the boundaries of what can be done in animation way past the old kiddie cartoons of old. This is real, serious adult entertainment that should satisfy longtime fans and newcomers as well.